I encourage anyone with the time and inclination to invest your experience, wisdom and talent in a cause for which you have passion. I serve as the Treasurer for the Andrus Center for Public Policy. I have lost track of the number of years but when Governor Andrus asked me to join his Board, it was an honor. Cecil passed on after nearly 86 remarkable years on this planet in 2017, leaving a lasting legacy. A four term Governor of our once Great State and a former Secretary of the Interior, Andrus was a man of the people and he got things done.
Cece, as his friends called him, was committed to Education and he led the effort and signed the bill to authorize kindergarten in Idaho. When the legislature passed an Abortion bill in 1990, Andrus vetoed it—“too extreme, lacked compassion for victims of rape and incest, and would not withstand constitutional scrutiny.” Standing up to the mining interests that threatened Castle Peak in the White Cloud’s likely turned the tide for his first Gubernatorial bid. Standing on the Idaho Border to stop the shipments of hazardous nuclear waste won him national attention. Andrus was instrumental in getting Congressional designation for the Sawtooth Wilderness Area. What happened to politicians with high levels of integrity, empathy, and compassion?
It is encouraging that the Idaho abortion ballot initiative has exceeded requirements for the November election. The measure would decriminalize abortion in Idaho. The “Reproductive Freedom and Privacy Act” would allow doctors to perform abortions without the threat of jail time. Executive Director Melanie Falwell, of the Idahoans United for Women and Families says “our hope is that this is one significant step back towards stabilizing our healthcare system in assuring that people deserve dignity and privacy as it relates to their medical care.” With over 105,000 signatures representing 10% of the state’s voters the measure has met the District standards. Polling has indicated that the measure is supported broadly across the political spectrum and has a reasonable chance to exceed the simple majority required for such an initiative. I am guessing there will be a lot of very vocal opposition, it will be interesting to see how Idaho votes. Worth noting, Idaho has lost over 30% of the OB/Gyn Doctors since the very strict Idaho ban has been in effect.
Dr. Emily Wakild is the Cecil D. Andrus Endowed Chair for the Environment and Public Lands housed at Boise State. At our recent meeting Emily described a compendium project on the life and times of Cecil Andrus. She began the overview by saying the work was a prosopography. No one in the room had ever heard this word. The etymology of the word is derived from the new Latin while originating in Ancient Greek, it literally means “description of a person” for our purposes it is basically a collective biography. Prosopon, is ‘face or mask, or character or person’ and graphic would translate as “writing or description.” The work of many of Cece’s friends, family, and colleagues will further cement the lasting legacy of Governor Andrus. It is a work in progress, I will let you know when it is available early next year.
I should close with some classic Andrus. In his memoir, he quotes Robert Frost, “we should not have to care so much, you and I. But we do care” and he went on to add “and we should. We care about the future….I remain hopeful that I will be able to pass on to my grandchildren all the pleasures of the unspoiled West. Perhaps hope should be replaced by a stronger word. It is a matter of obligation.” Cece once told me that the value of a retired politician was fleeting and he had to hurry to take advantage of his good name. If he were here, I could enjoy telling him he was wrong on that count. A life well lived can create lasting allegiance and memories.
I will miss my friend, Governor Dirk Kempthorne. The flags are appropriately at half mast for another life well lived in service to Idaho and our nation. Sincere condolences to Patricia and their entire family.
Please be an educated voter as you go to the polls next week. The Legislators who plunged our State into financial chaos, abandoned Public Education, and invest their time in Culture wars do not deserve your vote in my opinion. I would think claiming the full endorsement of the Orange Wanker should also be disqualifying. Enjoy the picture of Hank in his sixth grade band performance, public education works!!
Mike